ITC BEGINS INVESTIGATION
CONCERNING POSSIBLE MODIFICATIONS
TO THE U.S. GENERALIZED SYSTEM OF PREFERENCES

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) is seeking input for a newly initiated
investigation concerning possible modifications to the Generalized System of Preferences.

The investigation, Advice Concerning Possible Modifications to the U.S. Generalized System of
Preferences, 2008 Review of Additions and Removals (Investigation No. 332-500), was requested
by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).

As requested, the ITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, will provide
advice on the likely impact on competing U.S. industries of the addition of eleven HTS
subheadings to the list of articles eligible for the GSP and the removal of two HTS subheadings
from duty-free status from certain beneficiary developing countries.

The ITC will submit its confidential report to USTR by December 19, 2008.

The ITC is seeking input for its new investigation from all interested parties and requests that the
information focus on the articles for which the ITC is requested to provide information and
advice. The ITC will hold a public hearing in connection with the investigation at 9:30 a.m. on
October 30, 2008. Requests to appear at the public hearing should be filed no later than 5:15 p.m.
on October 14, 2008, with the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW,
Washington, DC 20436.

The ITC also welcomes written submissions for the record. Written submissions should be
addressed to the Secretary to the Commission at the above address and should be submitted at the
earliest practical date but no later than 5:15 p.m. on November 5, 2008.

ITC general factfinding investigations, such as this one, cover matters related to tariffs or trade
and are generally conducted at the request of the U.S. Trade Representative, the Senate
Committee on Finance, or the House Committee on Ways and Means. The resulting reports
convey the Commission's objective findings and independent analyses on the subjects
investigated. The Commission makes no recommendations on policy or other matters in its
general factfinding reports. Upon completion of each investigation, the ITC submits its findings
and analyses to the requester. General factfinding investigation reports are subsequently released
to the public, unless they are classified by the requester for national security reasons.